Newcastle United reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup after an impressive 2-0 victory over Chelsea. It was a hugely valuable victory for Eddie Howe’s side after a five-game winless run in the Premier League sees them sit 12th in the table. A 23rd-minute goal from Alexander Isak put the hosts ahead and they doubled their lead three minutes later when Axel Disasi put the ball in his own net.
The result means Newcastle have reached the last eight of the competition for the third successive season. Chelsea , meanwhile, return back to London well beaten after manager Enzo Maresca’s changed line-up failed to deliver. Here, our writers analyse the key talking points from the match.
The welcome return of Newcastle’s beautiful chaos This, as they say, was much more like it. This was like a family reunion or the belated return of an old friend. Newcastle were angry again, feisty again, swarming again.
They were aggressive and remorseless, pressing high and sowing panic around them. It was gorgeous, gory intensity. That might sound like a funny definition of family, but this was the identity that Eddie Howe infused into his team and which supporters fell in love with.
Advertisement This is what had been missing after a long summer of uncertainty and another poor transfer window, leaving dented confidence and heavy legs. Not quite at it, not quite right. Here, the balance was much better.
Newcastle did not see much of the ball, but they hoarded impetus, forcing Chelsea int.
